PODcast

Summer family fun

These photographs were taken in 2012 whilst in Kalkan, Turkey. It was the Doves first holiday abroad as a family. POD was 18 months old, walking but not talking. Unless you count the chattering captured in this video!

POD was impeccably behaved on her first flight despite being on Mummy or Daddy’s knee for the duration. Amusingly she kept a cup in her grasp until we arrived in Turkey. The transfer to where we were staying took an hour and a half but across incredible scenery.

We stayed in a rustic house that blended into the landscape and offered superb views across the Bay of Kalkan. A pool terrace and gardens provided the perfect retreat with the elegant harbour town of Kalkan only 5 minutes drive away. It was the perfect location for our first family holiday abroad.

Fresh bread was delivered daily and we enjoyed breakfast outside most mornings. The pool and gardens were secured with a gate which meant POD was safe to toddle around.

In Kalkan, cobbled streets were littered with colourful shops and harbour-side or roof top restaurants. Staff at the restaurants fell head over heels with POD. Typically we discovered an incredible restaurant a few days prior to leaving although we did get to enjoy it before we left.

We took advantage of the nearby Mahal Beach Club which was a wonderfully peaceful place to relax. Overlooking the sea it provided a restaurant, bar and massage centre. We saw fresh squid caught and POD insisted on trying fresh orange even though it made her shiver!

The house was ideally situated for the golden sands of Patara beach and the mountain villages of Islamlar and Bezirgan. We took POD to Patara one day and although she walked on sand for the first time, she wasn’t too keen on the sea. The waves crashing frightened her although I’m sure now she’d stay in the sea all day given the opportunity.

As well as enjoying the mountains, the ancient sites of Xanthos, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos and Patara were also close by.

The Doves trip to Kalkan was an amazing first family holiday. It was full of firsts for POD too, first flight, first experience of an outdoor pool, first time walking on sand and first ice-cream being just a few. She’s yet to dip her feet in the sea!

We’ve not been abroad since this holiday as running a business to achieve a better work/life balance has been the priority. However having stayed in Mark Warner resorts as a couple we’d relish the opportunity to visit again as a family.

This post is a competition entry to win a family holiday with Mark Warner in association with Kiddicare

Mark Warner Holidays is giving away a summer 2014 family holiday in association with baby specialist Kiddicare. This awesome competition opens today (13th September) and closes on 31st October 2013.

You can enter in any Kiddicare superstore or via the online entry form on Kiddicare’s Facebook page. For tips on how to entertain the kids on your travels, the kit you absolutely shouldn’t leave home without, how to prepare your children (and you) for their first flight, and other useful know how, written by mums and dads, visit the Kiddicare blog.

Wonderful Wildlife 123

POD has done brilliantly with learning to count. She’s cracked it to 11 and sometimes she’ll reach 20 albeit without all the numbers. She’s not learnt about values yet so if you ask her how many legs she has, she may still respond with “3 or 4”!

Wonderful Wildlife 123 is a fabulous book designed to teach children to count up to 20. Not only that, everyone in this fun-filled gem is making mischief! We’ve read it every night for two weeks, POD loves it.

It kicks off with “1 lonely badger”, “2 helpful whales” and “3 friendly seabirds singing songs and telling tales”. If you ask POD what the birds are doing, she’ll often finish the sentence for you. With a coy grin of course! We’re then presented with “4 froggy eyes” and “5 buzzy flies”.

The illustrations surrounding “6 little tadpoles watch their mummies with surprise” has taught POD about tadpoles and frogs. And that frogs catch flies with their tongues. She’s adopted an interesting impression of a frog catching a fly.

After we’ve seen “7 hungry birds” and “8 worms that wiggle”, “9 hyenas see a sight that makes them laugh and giggle” follows. POD finds this page entertaining given a bird is attempting to pull a worm out of the ground.

We then reach POD’s favourite section of the book “10 fearful fruitbats” and “11 worried rats” leads nicely into “12 lazy meerkats using rats and bats as mats”. We probably spend more time on the meerkat pages than we do any other. POD likes to identify what animal each meerkat is lying on – whether a bat or a rat.

The conversation goes like this “whatsatt?” bat, “whatsatt?” rat, “whatsatt?” bat, “whasatt?” rat, “whatsatt?” bat, “whatsatt?” rat, “whatsatt?” bat, “whatsatt?” rat, “whatsatt?” bat, “whatsatt?” rat, “whatsatt?” bat, “whatsatt?” rat”.

Following the hilarity of the meerkats, we reach “13 ants encourage 14 naughty moths”. When we read “15 holes in Mrs Panda’s tablecloth”, there is a gasp of horror as POD places her hand over her mouth. She’s not sure about “16 Bigfoot footprints” which is then followed by “17 Yeti tracks” and “18 cheeky chipmunks chucking snowballs at their backs”.

POD loves the “19 wise old owls” particularly those hiding in a tree and there’s much excitement when we reach “20 different dinosaurs”. POD believes at least 3 of them belong to her saying “my dine-saw” as she points to them. She also identifies the type of dinosaur – as in large, small, spikey or smiley.

Wonderful Wildlife 123 is such a great book, it reads really well and it’s beautifully illustrated. If you’re looking for a fun counting book, I’d recommend it as an essential for your toddler’s bookshelf.

Charles Fuge is an award-winning author and illustrator, best known for the Little Wombat series, Bush Vark’s Day Out and many more family favourites.

Wonderful Wildlife 123 is available from Amazon, currently priced £5.82 (RRP £5.99).

Disclaimer: As one of Parragon’s Book Buddies we were provided with a copy of Wonderful Wildlife 123 for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.

How does your garden grow?

The Dove garden is in pretty good shape following POD’s Christening. The new additions have been well looked after although some took a battering in the heavy rain this week. The beautiful Canna lost it’s petals and the Hosta looks like it’s making a bid for freedom!

The Hydrangea seem to be enjoying their new home – they’ll be superb when they’ve grown a bit. The wet weather has resulted in grabbing the macro and taking photographs of snails on our Red Hot Poker stems again. It’s such a crazy sight seeing so many snails with shells like humbugs!

The bees have vacated the garden now, a shame given I’ve taken so many photographs of our fuzzy friends over the summer. I like the idea that they’re enjoying a honey party somewhere warm.

Yellow has appeared on one of the Sunflower heads, such a fabulous sight. I’m hopeful they’ll all open fully over the coming days. These are quite special given the were seeds planted by POD. It’s great to see a touch of colour from the patio too given the pot plants are coming to an end.

Just a few days ago we were at the Wisley Flower Show basking in glorious sunshine. The National Dahlia Society Show was also on so the slideshow this week is from that collection. It was pretty special.

We’re linking this post up with How does your garden grow? hosted by Mammasaurus. If you’d like to join in just click on the badge below.

Taking a toddler to a wedding

Little did we know POD would be in the midst of potty training when we accepted an invitation to a friend’s wedding. Given she’d made the transition to big girl pants two weeks earlier however we were full of optimism.

It was an interesting journey to the venue. A stop in a country lane highlighted a need for the absent potty as POD declined to go beside a barley field. Although it seemed she had some success at the pub we stopped at, she requested to go again just as we left the car park.

At a service station with no public facilities we were surrounded by everything from screen wash to Smarties. POD refused to go but took great joy in attempting to open nearby bottles. We didn’t stop again until we reached the venue where we discovered POD has a fear of hand dryers.

Lying on the floor in-between the door and the bar, she then pretended to be a fish. A position that doesn’t bode well for introductions or getting a drink. Following a much needed period of outdoor play, POD then busied herself with drawing and wearing her headband across her eyelids. She hardly spoke until the ceremony.

“Daddy I’m a bit bored” POD was told she could go outside afterwards.

“Hip hip hooray” It’s not finished yet, put your arms down.

A period of fidgeting, cutlery play and a falling glass shortly afterwards led to a muted Peppa Pig making an appearance.

“Oh look Mummy there’s Peppa!” Yes be really quiet though, it’s not finished.

“Mummy I escaping” And with that she left the table.

A further trip to the toilet was far more thrilling than the last. Knickers were looped around the toilet roll holder. Cries of “Well done Mummy you did a wee” were coupled with dancing and clapping.

It didn’t take POD long to work out how to unlock the door. Your toddler shouting “hello everybody” to passers by is just what you need when you’re mid pee. Attempting to close the door in four inch heels with pants restricting your movement isn’t ideal either!

After a spot of fun in the sunshine, POD was back inside for the speeches. Just before the best man began his stories, the silence was broken with our toddler shouting “Mummy I need a poo”.

We’re linking this post up with Wot So Funee? at Actually Mummy. If your children have been saying some funny things this week, you can join in below.

A day to remember

This collection of photographs were taken at POD’s Christening yesterday.

The day started with POD running round the garden in her beautiful dress and pulling leaves off trees. The sun was shining at that point so we enjoyed a ten minute walk to the church where we met relatives and friends. Two of the godparents had traveled from Ireland and Cheshire the day before – we were slightly jaded as a result.

Our church is very relaxed, especially at the all ages service, with younger children given the freedom to explore without causing too much disruption. Like most toddlers, POD doesn’t enjoy being restrained.

She was impeccably behaved during the baptism itself, reacting well to having water poured on her head, turning to the vicar to say ‘again!’

After the baptism she stayed at the front, joined by friends, one of whom she goes to nursery with and who she skipped around with hand in hand. It as a lovely service just what we were hoping for as POD’s introduction to the church.

Following the service everyone headed back to the Doves for some food and drink. It was all too much for POD who slept for two hours that afternoon. It was truly memorable occasion and definitely a day to remember.

We’re linking this post up with What’s The Story? on this blog and Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse. If you fancy joining in, click on the badges below.

What’s The Story? | 9th September 2013

Thank you for sharing so many brilliant stories last week.

We had a year on from Mum Turned Mom, Lou’s Lake Views gave us her first portage and The Syders it’s 7 years since I saw my mum. Capture by Lucy gave us Honfleur in pictures, Red Peffer a significant milestone and Yummy Mummy Flabby Tummy took us down memory lane.

It’s typical the downpours arrived on the day of POD’s Christening although it didn’t dampen a superb day. It’s rather apt therefore that we mention the wonderful 20 things to do when it’s raining outside from Little Steps.

What’s The Story? is all about sharing the stories behind your favourite photographs. To join in you just have to share a photograph and describe the story behind it. You can say as little or as much as you like.

You can select a photo taken at ANY time – there are no restrictions on when it must have been taken. You might choose a photo you took recently or an oldie. New posts are always the best but you can link up older ones should you wish. What’s The Story? is open from 6.30am every Monday until the following Sunday.

Please use the What’s The Story? badge below and do share some comment love on your fellow bloggers posts. Have a great week everyone.

How does your garden grow?

Following last week’s update on the Dove garden, this time we’re at the Wisley Flower Show. We were at RHS Wisley a month ago and given my love for close-up photography, the show definitely seemed worth a visit.

We left the house later than planned (as you do with a toddler!) but I’d not anticipated quite how busy it would be. We ended up parked in a field so I was thankful I took POD’s potty! It was only a ten minute walk from there to the show though and such a beautiful day.

The RHS Wisley Flower Show is described as a spectacular yet informal late summer show. You can browse, buy and obtain advice from around 50 nurseries and garden trade stands including RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show medal winners. There’s also an Expert Zone offering advice and demonstrations from nursery owners and Wisley garden staff.

The most amazing explosion of colour greeted us when we arrived at the Flower Show. There were wonderful displays with everything from Canna, Lillies and Clematis to Bonsai trees, Hostas and airplants. Not forgetting an array of unusual house plants and rare tropical varieties.

If you’re looking for the wow factor, it was definitely there. There were some amazing purchases to be made had I had another set of hands. Although no gardening expert, I loved taking photographs of so many beautiful flowers. Who knows perhaps its in preparation for my later years!

While we were there we also had a peek at the incredible National Dahlia Society Show. You may well get to see some Dahlia’s next week!

We’re linking up with How does your garden grow? hosted by Mammasaurus. To join in just click on the badge below.

The summer that was

POD has changed so much since this photograph was taken three months ago.

She’s much taller, the little pot belly has disappeared and her face looks different. Even her smile has altered. Her vocabulary has increased dramatically as has a wonderful imagination. She’s more independent and she knows what she wants – even if it is Peppa Pig! She loves books, colouring, jigsaws and Jo Jingles. She wears big girl pants during the day.

On Christmas Day POD will be three, she’ll no longer be a toddler. Although she’s not at school you do sense the summer is over even with the sun still shining. We’ve not had a summer break but we’ve spent much more time together. Running our own business has meant we’ve been able to have fun in the garden after nursery. Not every day but most days.

POD has taken full advantage of her playhouse with it being so sunny. Preparing food for her dollies or, if you were invited in, offering a dish of garlic and asparagus. She’s loved being ‘in the sky’ when she’s on her swing and found walking up her slide highly entertaining.

Then bang it’s September, the start of another new school year. You can’t help but think about POD’s education. At nursery she plays with children her own age, she explores her creativity and she learns. But how long will she stay there for? Where will she go next? When will she start school? Where will she go to school? All these questions need answering in the coming months.

For the moment though, let’s just reflect on what was a fabulous summer it was.

What’s The Story? | 2nd September 2013

Thank you for sharing so many incredible stories last week.

Posts that really touched us were Words for life from Fab Forty Mum, Baby Mac from Catch a Single Thought and Hiding Place from Faded Seaside Mama. We *literally* cried with joy at Coombe Mill‘s post about the birth of Sally’s piglets.

Other great reads included A Day To Remember from ChelseaMamma, The Reading Residence‘s man laughing in the face of Hannibal, the crazy restaurant from There and back again…a mother’s tale and the travelling tank from Mad Mum of 7.

Please use the What’s The Story? badge below and do share some comment love on your fellow bloggers posts. Have a great week and best of luck to those of you with kids going back or starting school in the coming days.